NY Coronavirus: Cuomo Extends Stay-At-Home Order

UPDATE: New York's statewide stay-at-home order was extended to May 15.

The original story is below.

NEW YORK, NY — New York's statewide stay-at-home order amid the new coronavirus pandemic will remain in effect until April 29, with the NY PAUSE program keeping schools and nonessential businesses closed even as the state's death rate appeared to level out. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday extended the order after announcing the death toll climbed slightly to 4,758, noting it seemed to flatten out over the last two days.

Early indications showed the state's strict social distancing policies have worked, Cuomo said. The big question now is what the apex of the coronavirus case curve will look, he said. Will the apex look more like the peak of a mountain or a plateau?

"No one can tell you which can occur," he said.

Cuomo's staff said it appears the state is in the early stages of the apex of the pandemic, with New York currently on the purple trajectory in the graph below.

"It is hopeful and still inclusive," Cuomo said.

On Sunday, Cuomo said downstate New York could be at or very near the apex of its coronavirus outbreak.

"The apex could be a plateau and we could be on the plateau right now," he said. "The next few days will tell."

On Monday, Cuomo said the health care system was already at maximum capacity Monday, comparing it to redlining a car.

"We can’t stay at this level," he said.

He said the state will crack down on violators of social distancing policies, increasing the maximum fines from $500 to $1,000.

"It's not about the fine," he said. "No one wants the money. We want the compliance. We are serious. You don't have the right to risk someone else's life."

Cuomo reiterated he will not choose between public health and economic activity, and noted there is danger in becoming overconfident too quickly. He pointed to Hong Kong and South Korea as countries that abandoned social distancing policies too early.

"We're not going to make that mistake," he said.